TODAY: Birdsong’s agent Scott Boras told Susan Slusser that his client’s issue is related to his forearm. After an initial MRI, Birdsong is now getting a second opinion. Despite this somewhat ominous situation, Birdsong himself is hopeful that he’ll just miss a few weeks of action, which seems like it would be a best-case scenario even if it means a season-opening IL stint.
MARCH 12: Giants right-hander Hayden Birdsong is being evaluated for an elbow issue, reports Susan Slusser of The San Francisco Chronicle. President of baseball operations Buster Posey tells Slusser that the team is awaiting word from their medical staff.
At this point, it’s not clear if the team fears a potential long-term injury. Birdsong has had a brutal Spring Training, giving up eight runs over 2 1/3 innings. His velocity is intact, though, as he’s averaging 97.3 mph on his heater. He averaged 95-96 mph on his fastball while working multiple innings last year.
Birdsong was one of the organization’s better pitching prospects when he debuted in 2024. He has shown the ability to miss bats at the highest level, but subpar command has undercut his consistency. Birdsong excelled out of the bullpen early in the ’25 season.
The Giants moved him to the rotation towards the end of May. Birdsong’s first five starts were solid enough, if inefficient, but the wheels fell off in his latter five appearances. A July 21 outing in which Birdsong didn’t retire any of six batters faced was the final straw. The Giants optioned him to Triple-A. A 6.23 ERA across 10 Triple-A starts wasn’t enough to get back to the MLB level.
Birdsong entered the spring no higher than sixth on the rotation depth chart. He can continue to start in the minors or be an option for work in a wide open San Francisco bullpen. His Spring Training numbers hadn’t put him in a great position to break camp even before the potential for an injured list stint.
Throw another one on the pile.
Ruh-row scooby! Really want him to have a bounce back year
Add him to the list. Smh.
Assuming he’s healthy, he needs more time in AAA to get his head on straight. Giants have plenty of other young arms who can step in, most notably Trevor McDonald.
RIP
Gulp! Kind of harsh there!
That’s very ominous, hopefully it’s just inflammation and no ligament damage.
I remember about a year ago, the Giants named Loupp as a starter with Birdsong going to the pen. A lot of fans questioned that decision, saying it should be the reverse, since Birdsong had more experience as a starter. Roupp had only been a reliever since being called up, and had only started in the minors. I guess maybe the Giants knew what they were doing after all.
Birdsong is kind of a mess right now. Hopefully the coaches will be able to get him straightened out. I also hope the elbow isn’t a big issue. I’d love it if he could get back to where he was in ’24 – ’25.
Sixth on the rotation depth chart isn’t nothing. Teams need at least eight starters over the season.
Birdsong should be no higher than 8th on the Giants rotation depth chart. Trevor McDonald, Carson Whisenhunt and even Carson Seymour should be ahead of him. Maybe even Blade Tidwell.
I guess this means he’s singing the blues.
Gee things can change quick. He was right there a year ago and then it was suddenly all downhill at a rapid pace. Let’s hope this is rock bottom.
Throwing 99.7 mph in his last outing vs. Cleveland. Looked good. Too bad.
Hate to hear his elbow chirping.
Well that certainly seems less than ideal
It is completely off-topic, but his name always reminds me of a line in a song, which made me an ardent follower of a certain band until today (and probably for life): “A birdsong shatters the still”. Just see, how much this song took possession of me decades ago that I could not abstain from quoting it here.
Gruß,
BSHH
You sound like an old man standing on a hill as the sun breaks above the ground
He’s just sharing a memory. I have lots of similar ones. If you don’t like his, just move to the next comment.
He was quoting a line from the same Iron Maiden song FYI
Ironic comment. Why don’t you just move on to the next comment if you don’t like (or understand) mine? lol
@For Love of the Game:
Thank you, but semut was indeed referencing “The Flight of Icarus” (what a masterpiece!). By the way, I am an old man anyway. But most important of all: Go Tigers!
Gruß,
BSHH
Hope his elbow recovers and he exhibits the promise we saw previously. He’ll be great if he does.
You only get a second opinion if you dont like the first one. See you in 2027, young man!
28 if there’s a lockout.
There won’t be a lost season. If there is a lockout, it will be resolved with a full season played, like it was in 2022.
TINSTAAPP
Wishing the best for Hayden.
Great kid.
Even if he played for Post 88.
Hopefully whatever the 2nd opinion determines Birdsong will follow the doctor’s instructions & take care of himself
Rather Birdsong start season on IL than trying to rush back
Birdsong has too much upside than risking his future
i’m sure he’ll be tweeting updates
“Yeah, that’s a forearm alright.” -the doctor giving the second opinion
Dr. said the forearm is all bad.
Birdsong says he wants a second opinion.
Dr. Says : OK, You’re goofy looking too.